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Call for NGOs: Promoting and Protecting Violations of Human Rights in Libya

Deadline: 29-Apr-24

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for proposals that enable civil society organizations in Libya to play a leading role in promoting, protecting, and responding to serious violations of international human rights, humanitarian law, and other abuses in Libya.

DRL’s goal is to promote justice and accountability for serious violations of international human rights, humanitarian law, mass atrocities and other human rights violations across Libya. It does so by working with civil society and human rights advocates to ensure they are equipped with the tools and resources to better prevent, respond to, and demand accountability for these violations. Libyan civil society perspectives are integral to this process.

DRL seeks programs that will bolster survivor-centered justice and sustainable accountability mechanisms. Successful program designs should center civil society demands, incorporate survivor-centered methodologies to transitional justice, and prioritize long-term accountability.

DRL requires all programs to be non-discriminatory and expects implementers to include strategies for nondiscrimination of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, or veteran’s status. Proposal approaches should specifically center on supporting underserved and marginalized communities in Libya. This may include, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous communities (including Amazigh, Tuareg, and Tebu peoples), migrants, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and/or LGBTQI+ identifying people. Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:

  • Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;
  • Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;
  • Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;
  • Inclusion of vulnerable populations;
  • Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities;
  • Systematic follow up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.
Program Objectives 
  • Potential program approaches may include efforts to:
    • Strengthen individual and/or networks of Libyan civil society organizations documenting, investigating, and/or denouncing human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and other violations at the national, regional, and international level. Activities should effectively advance the vision and mission of these networks and organizations toward justice and accountability, and advocate for efforts to support their resilience and safety to complete this work in a trauma-informed and survivor centered manner. Activities should be coordinated with ongoing USG supported work and civil society organizations (CSOs) in this sector to maximize impact and avoid duplication.
    • Increase quality reporting around human rights violations, justice, and accountability efforts from civil society organizations.
    • Advocate for increased global awareness and attention to human rights violations in Libya, including through the promotion of human rights reforms, expanding access to justice, and advocating for accountability opportunities for victims, survivors, and their families.
    • Empower Libyan civil society, individual survivors, and survivors’ groups to effectively advocate for their vision of transitional justice, prevent impunity, and promote redress for victims among the international community.
    • Create, improve, or reinvigorate Libyan-led referral networks, CSO-based service providers, local institutions, and professionalized networks that enhance access to services for survivors of violations, including medical, economic, legal, and psychosocial assistance for survivors and their families.
    • Provide CSOs with access to multi-sectoral operational security and resilience services, including digital, physical, legal, and psychosocial support resources to better enable their engagement on efforts to promote truth, justice, and accountability.
Funding Information
  • Total Funding Floor: $750,000
  • Total Funding Ceiling: $2,000,000
  • Anticipated Number of Awards: 1-2
  • Period of Performance: 24-36 months
Ineligible Activities
  • Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:
    • The provision of humanitarian assistance;
    • English language instruction;
    • Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
    • Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
    • External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
    • Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
    • Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity building for local civil society;
    • Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
    • Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Eligible Applicants
    • DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses. DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
    • Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.
  • Cost Sharing or Matching
    • Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not an eligibility factor or requirement for this NOFO and providing cost share will not result in a more favorable competitive ranking.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.